Accumatic A-510
1968–1969 · Stainless Steel · Automatic
About the Accumatic A-510
Made from 1968 through 1969, the Accumatic A-510 is a clean, index-only automatic in stainless steel running Hamilton's caliber 689A. The all-silver dial with raised gold markers and sweep seconds gives it a spare, modern look that fit right into late-1960s American taste. The A-510 is part of Hamilton's long-running Accumatic family, the line that defined the brand's automatic watch program from the late 1950s onward. At 11mm thick, it wears trimmer than most automatics of its era.
Surviving examples tend to show their age on the dial first, since lacquered dials from this period are sensitive and can mottle or lose printing if someone has tried to clean them. On a clean A-510, the raised gold markers against the silver dial still look sharp, so it is worth being patient and finding one where no one has messed with the surface. The stainless case holds up well over time, but check the edges of the lugs, where most of the wear tends to accumulate.
From the Catalog
Hamilton described the A-510 in its 1968 catalog with a silver dial and silver applied markers, positioning it as a clean everyday automatic at $79.50 in stainless steel.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1968
What to Look For
| Dial | The silver dial should be clean and even in tone, with no mottling, spotting, or separation around the markers. Lacquered dials from this era are easily damaged by moisture or well-intentioned cleaning attempts, and any fading or discoloration around the marker bases is a red flag. The raised gold markers should sit flush and intact, with no missing or tilted pieces. |
| Crystal | Check for deep scratches or crazing in the crystal. A hazy or heavily scratched crystal can usually be replaced, but it is worth knowing what you are getting. |
| Movement | The 689A is an automatic and should wind from wrist motion, keeping the watch running continuously without any need for shaking or hand-winding to sustain it. Dried lubricants are a real concern in a watch this age. If the movement only runs briefly after agitation and then stops, that is a sign the oil has hardened and a service is due. |
| Case | Stainless steel holds up well, but inspect the lug edges for heavy wear or dings. The case back can be stubborn to open on watches like this, and pry marks around the case back edge are a sign of rough handling in the past. |
| Crown | The crown should thread or snap in smoothly and pull out to the hand-setting position without slipping. A loose or wobbly crown can indicate worn threads or a damaged stem. Also note that even though this watch was originally rated weatherproof, that rating does not hold after more than 50 years without fresh seals, so keep it away from water. |
The Movement
The caliber 689A is a 17-jewel Swiss-made automatic that also accepts hand-winding, which is handy for getting a watch running after it has been sitting. It is an ETA-based movement that Hamilton used across much of its late-1960s Accumatic lineup, valued for its reliability and reasonable serviceability. Like any movement of this age, it benefits from periodic cleaning and lubrication to stay running well.